Rep. Readshaw vs. Rep. Molchany = overall GOP win

The most talked about State Legislative race this Spring in Allegheny County is the two incumbent showdown of Rep. Erin Molchany vs. Rep. Harry Readshaw. As someone that usually likes incumbent Democrats that are generally doing a good job, no one wins when two incumbents face each other. Actually the Republicans win in this case.

Why the Republicans win:

Lots of politicians have lined up behind Rep. Erin Molchany and are spending their money on this race. Lots of Democratic fundraisers are putting their money into both sides.  I have heard estimates that this race will end up costing each side around $200,000 to win the Primary. This is how the Republicans win. They force Democrats to fight each other in Primaries. So instead of finding good Democrats to run against Rep. Hal English and Senator Vulakovich (who are both running for their first full term), elected officials like County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and State Senator Wayne Fontana (I'm giving politicans that just serve the City of Pittsburgh a pass since this is a city vs city race.) are getting too involved with a race that puts an old friend vs. a new friend. Take the high road, and find a way to make sure we keep the Republicans in our county on their toes so they have less money for the Governor's race and the 2015 County Executive race.

How this happened:

This is a two fold answer:

1. The redistricting process. Allegheny County was due to lose a seat. When Rep. Chelsa Wagner ran for County Controller, the redistricting committee decided get rid of her seat (22nd District). The Republican drawn maps moved the 22nd District to the other side of the state, thus forcing a Dem vs. Dem showdown after a Special Election was held in 2012 to replace Rep. Wagner.

2. The Transportation Bill. I'm mentioned on Twitter and Facebook that this was a bad vote for Democrats. I'm not saying it isn't the right thing to do on the surface. As the minority party, the Democrats never should have given the Republicans any votes for the bill. The Democrats should have forced the Republicans to make the tax increase vote and tried to used it against Republicans who voted for the tax increase. Secondly, they Republicans knew they had the Democrats by their throats because so many of them had publicly said they will vote for transportation funding. So Mike Turzai did what he does best and politicized the hell out of the bill. He added an increase in the prevailing wage limit on public projects. This has forced labor to fight with each other and caused a lot of in-fighting with the Democrats in the legislature. This is what Rep. Turzai wants. The more the Democrats and labor fight with each other, the better chance he has to make sure there is a Republican majority in the legislature.

Why Erin Molchany could lose (even if I am more in line with her issues - Sorry!):

The district is overwhelmingly Rep. Readshaw's old district.
The district isn't as Pro-Choice as you would expect. One political consultant told me that the 19th ward can be racist, pro-life, and pro-gun even if they often vote for Democrats.
As much as I would defend a reasonable gas tax as public policy any day, it is a hard sell to your average voter.

In the end, the Democrats end up in a bad situation. Everyone would have been better off if the power brokers in the Democratic Party could have worked out a deal that both sides could have agreed too, or at least pledged to stay out of it.

Pittsburgh Councilman Bruce Kraus Supports Molchany in House District 22

From the Erin Molchany campaign:

Bruce Kraus Supports Molchany
Councilman Endorses Erin Molchany in 22nd Legislative District

Pittsburgh-- City Councilman Bruce Kraus announced today his endorsement of Erin Molchany in the April 24th Democratic Primary for the 22nd Legislative district.

"Erin Molchany is incredibly committed to making her community and our entire region a better place to live," said Kraus. "She brings to office a record of accomplishment fighting to save public transportation and education. I'm proud to endorse her as the next Representative in the 22nd district."

Molchany has focused much of her campaign on transportation and education issues, and also has committed to bringing resources back to neighborhoods in the 22nd district to help spur economic growth on mainstreets again.

"I'm honored to have the support of Bruce Kraus," Molchany said. "We need to elect a representative who will work with City Council and State Senators and fellow representatives to make our communities stronger, safer, and more prosperous. I will work with anyone to make things better for my district."

Erin Molchany is running for the full two-year term as a Democrat in the April 24th Primary in Pennsylvania's 22nd State House District. Molchany is also endorsed by Ironworkers Local 3, Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania PAC, Equality PA, Progressive Pittsburgh PAC, Stonewall Democrats, Gertrude Stein Club of Greater Pittsburgh, and Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak.

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Junior Olympic Softball Coach for County Controller!

I didn't expect Bob Howard to do much of anything for the Allegheny County Controller race. I'm pretty sure he is farther to the right than most of the tea party and was too conservative for the Republican Primary voters in North Allegheny when he lost he re-election for School Board. If I remember correctly he was involved in trying to ban some books at NA while School Board President.

The post card is a little too busy for me, but I did find some interesting/confusing points. While he is going after Wagner for not having 'experience' he also claims being a softball coach is his experience to be our next controller.

Some other things to debunk in this mailer. Claiming a State legislator that handles a $27.3 billion dollar budget has no budgeting experience is just plain confusing. I'm pretty sure legislators have to manage their staff so no management experience is also a stretch.

Also we see again a Republican that throws around the 'career politician' comment. Ms. Wagner is 34 years old and she started serving as a State Representative in 2007. Before she was a State Rep. she worked as a lawyer and also worked for a private company that analyzed budget numbers for governments. So she didn't start off her career working for a politician or in politics so we need a stronger definition of career from the Allegheny County Republican Party.

Since Howard's running mate, Raja, is claiming a part time county council position is a career what does he think about his 4 years on the North Allegheny School Board. According to Raja's definition of career politicians, Howard's claim that 4 years on the school board is extremely different to Wagner's 5 years in the State House doesn't add up.

I also have issues with people that attack politicians for having a family that is involved in politics. While too many people may vote on name alone and/or trust a family member of a politician, it isn't fair to just write someone off because they are related. Just as I would suggest that no one should vote just on a name or a party affiliation, I would suggest we shouldn't not vote for someone because of their name or party affiliation.

Allegheny County Democratic Post Card

Nothing special, just the usual post card with the list of Democratic candidates from the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

Allegheny County Democratic Party Mailings

Below are two mailings, both of which I have to assume were put together by the Allegheny County Democratic Party. The first one is pretty nice and put together well. I like the yard signs on the back. The second one is pretty boring and I'm really disappointed with the size of the Allegheny County Democratic Party's website on the mailing. Also, there is no mention of their Twitter or Facebook.

After checking out their Twitter (last update March 11th) and Facebook page (last update March 7th), it appears social media is not the Allegheny County Democratic Party's speciality.

Chelsa Wagner's bold mailing

Chelsa Wagner sent out a mailer last week that gives the appearance that she was given the Post Gazette Endorsement. While the 2 of quotes from the Post-Gazette are positive, one quote was meant to be negative when read in context. Many out there might have seen this mailer and thought Chelsa was endorsed by the Post-Gazette, but the title of the article that she pulled these quotes from was: "Roberts for the Dems: She understands best the role of the controller" It is pretty bold on Wagner's part.

Just another side note, her campaign slogan is a bit mixed. "Look forward, not back" sounds great, except when you point out how great your legislative record is and how great it is to be the niece of a professional politician.

Richland Township Democrats Mailing

Readers of my blog know I have complained about the lack of organized Democratic organizations in the North Hills. I was surprised to get this mailer from the Richland Township Democratic Committee today. I also was surprised to see that the Richland Township Democrats have a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Glad to see something from the Democrats out in the North Hills.

New Chelsa Wagner Mailer

Another Chelsa Wagner mailer. Politics is the only business that one can use their parents/uncles/aunts/grandparents as resume builders.

Chelsa Wagner Mailing

Here is a mailing from Chelsa Wagner. I didn't recieve this one myself, so I'm not sure how big of a mailing this was. Rep. Wagner's campaign website can be found here.

I was pretty sure I wouldn't vote for George Matta for controller, but his horrible comments about State Rep. Chelsa Wagner missing votes in Harrisburg because she was giving birth to her child proved to me that I will never vote for Matta. He might want to read the Family Medical Leave Act again or try out for a role in Mad Men.

George Matta?? For County Controller???? Are You Kidding Me?

I couldn't keep up with the plethora of mail that was forwarded to me from Democratic Committee members over the past few weeks. Most people were able to see the hard hitting anti George Matta letter sent from Valerie McDonald Roberts thanks to the Post Gazette Early Returns blog. I know the endorsement is over, but I haven't heard much about the mail piece above.

I thought the mailer would be interesting to share as the three candidates appear to be continuing forward with or without the endorsement. I have to wonder if this post card is the reason the Chelsa Wagner jumped ahead of the assumed favorite, Matta for the endorsement last Sunday.

I have real issues with how this mailing was done, even if the content is something that I believe is important. I think we need to know who is paying for political mail like this. I don't like secret rumors and political attacks when it comes to elections if we don't know the source.

So who do we blame? Was it Chelsa Wagner or Valerie McDonald Roberts that sent this post card out? Your guess is as good as mine.

County Controller flyers and mail

Here are some political mailers and handouts that have been forwarded to me recently. Below is just Democratic Candidates for County Controller:

Valerie McDonald Roberts:

Chelsa Wagner:

George Matta:

*UPDATED* Why does everyone want to be Allegheny County Controller?

With the almost announcement that Mark Patrick Flaherty will be running for County Executive no matter what decision Dan Onorato makes, a slew of candidates have been named as possible candidates for a position that doesn’t seem that desirable.

What does the County Controller do anyway? Here is the position according to the Allegheny County website:

The Controller is the chief elected fiscal officer of Allegheny County and provides general supervision and control of the County's fiscal activities.

The Controller has the responsibility to prescribe and maintain the accounting systems of the County and the authority to conduct audits of all County expenditures and offices. The Controller is the final, independent check on the fiscal activities of the executive and legislative branches of County government, as well as the independently elected row offices.

The Controller’s Office is comprised of the Accounting Division, Asset Management and Tax Lien Division, Auditing Division, Weights and Measures Division and the Information Systems Division.

According to the League of Women voters the county controller is paid a $65,500 salary.

I figured that based on the salary and perceived lack of ‘real’ power that this isn’t a position that people line up to run for. However, I have been proven wrong over the last few days.

Here’s the breakdown (so far):

Chelsa Wagner – Current State Representative from Brookline. She was just elected to her third term. This would be a cut in pay ($78,315 + per diems) so I’m not sure the motivation of what I think would be a step down. Maybe she is thinking about running for mayor. I think she would have some strong city support, but might run into the Wagner vs. Ravenstahl mess in the Primary.

Nick Kotik – Current State Representative from Robinson Township. He was just elected to his fifth term. He is considered a ‘blue dog’ Democrat. If they treat him the same way they treat Rep. Jason Altmire for being a blue dog, he will have a tough Primary.

George Matta – Perennial candidate. Seriously, what hasn’t this guy run for? He currently works at the Rivers Casino. He has served as an elected Controller before in Duquesne and also served as the mayor. He also was the Allegheny County Clerk of Courts (2000-07). He ran for State Rep. in 2006 against Marc Gergely and lost. I most remember Mr. Matta for his supposed racial slurs that he used to a Clerk of Courts employee a few years ago.


Valerie McDonald Roberts - She is the manager of the Allegheny County’s department of real estate. Ms. McDonald Roberts is a former Pittsburgh school board and City Council member. She served as recorder of deeds before the county post was abolished with the consolidation of the county's row offices. In 2006, she ran for Lt. Governor and lost (I voted for her). She could also have some strong city support, and she has always impressed me as a candidate.

Matt Smith - Current State Representative in Mount Lebanon. I am a big fan of Matt Smith and believe he is the right guy for that State Rep district in that area of the county. He won his seat during the 2006 pay raise election. The incumbent (Tom Stevenson) lost in the Republican Primary to a 21 year old extreme right wing nut. Matt Smith appears to do well with the Moderate Republicans in his district.

Brenda Frazier - Former two and a half term Allegheny County Councilwoman. Resigned from council to run for State Representative in the 21st District, but came up just short in a three way race with Dom Costa and Len Bodack. (h/t Jon Delano)

Brian O’Malley – He is a former Richland Township Supervisor and former President of the Young Democrats of Allegheny County. He is planning on running for District Magistrate, but I was told that he mentioned to North Hills Democratic Committee members that he was interested in running for County Controller if the magistrate district is eliminated (as it looks will happen).

I emailed Mr. O’Malley about his plans and this was his response (the whole email was a little long, so I edited it):

Thank you for contacting me about my interest in running for Allegheny County Controller. As of right now I am focused on fighting to save the magistrate district that I was planning on running for. (He went on with his reasons for why they shouldn’t cut the district)…

The position of County Controller is something I have long been interested in and would not rule out a possible candidacy at this point due to the uncertainty of my magistrate campaign. I have a well-rounded background that makes me uniquely qualified for Allegheny County Controller. I have a history of fighting for fiscal responsibility of tax dollars by voting for a multi-municipal merger of our police department and helped to make changes to a proposed municipal building that saved Richland Township taxpayers over a million dollars. One of the main components of the County Controller’s job, that is often ignored, is the inspection of weighing and measuring devices. I have hands on experience with weights and measures. I worked for four summers as a scale technician for an industrial scale company…

I was a fan of Mr. O’Malley while he was on the Richland Township Board of Supervisors. He has some support in the North Hills, but that doesn’t do you much good in a county wide Democratic Primary.

I’m sure more names will come out of nowhere over the next few weeks.